Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated June 2026
Coast Guard Pay Chart 2026 and 2025
USCG basic pay is set by the unified DoD pay table — same as Army, Navy, USAF, USMC, and USSF — even though the Coast Guard is funded by the Department of Homeland Security rather than DoD. A new USCG E-1 earns about $2,180/mo in 2026; an O-3 with 6 years earns roughly $7,450/mo. The FY2026 NDAA raised every cell 3.8% effective January 1, 2026.
The DHS funding split matters during shutdowns. When DHS appropriations lapse but DoD funding continues, USCG paychecks can stop while sister services keep getting paid. The 2018-19 shutdown left active-duty Coasties working without pay for 35 days.
2026 USCG Enlisted Pay (Monthly Basic)
| Rank | YOS | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | <2 | $2,100 | $2,180 |
| E-3 | 2 | $2,615 | $2,715 |
| E-4 | 4 | $2,950 | $3,065 |
| E-5 | 6 | $3,485 | $3,620 |
| E-7 | 12 | $5,290 | $5,490 |
US Coast Guard Starting Pay
Starting basic pay for a USCG E-1 <2yr is $2,180/mo in 2026, or ~$26,160/year. Add BAS ($475/mo) and BAH (varies by ZIP — $1,200 in low-cost areas to $4,500+ in San Francisco or Honolulu). Net annual starting compensation runs $35,000-$50,000.
2026 USCG Officer Pay
| Rank | YOS | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | <2 | $4,135 |
| O-3 | 6 | $7,450 |
| O-5 | 16 | $11,250 |
| O-6 | 20 | $13,580 |
| O-10 | 30+ | $18,850 |
USCG Warrant Officer Pay
The Coast Guard appoints warrants at W-2, W-3, and W-4 only — no W-1 entry and no W-5. The CWO program is open to senior enlisted members, who apply through a Chief Warrant Officer selection board administered by the USCG Personnel Service Center (PSC); competitive packages typically require significant time-in-service and rating experience plus a command endorsement from the applicant's commanding officer. Most enlisted Coasties who apply pin on as CWO-2. A CW-3 with 10 years earns about $6,940/mo. See the warrant officer pay chart, or the full Coast Guard rank structure and enlisted rates (job specialties).
Coast Guard Reserve Pay
Reserve drill pay = 1/30 of monthly active-duty basic pay per drill, with four drills per weekend. An E-4 with 4 years earns about $409 per drill weekend in 2026. Annual training pays full active-duty rates plus BAH and BAS. 20 qualifying years earns a deferred retirement starting at age 60. See Coast Guard retirement.
Coast Guard-Specific Allowances
- Career Sea Pay: $50-$750/mo on cutters by rank and cumulative sea time — see the full rate chart.
- COLA: Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Puerto Rico, foreign — and CONUS COLA in high-cost mainland areas.
- HDIP: Aviation, dive, and EOD billets — e.g. rescue swimmer (AST) pay.
How 2026 Compares to 2025
The 2026 raise was 3.8% vs 2025's 4.5% across-the-board. But 2025 included a targeted ~10% bump for E-1 to E-4 effective April 2025 — that carried into the 2026 base, so 2026 E-3 earns ~$300 more monthly than 2024 E-3 at the same step. Verify on the DFAS pay tables or the USCG PPC.
Pay Calculator
Use the Coast Guard pay calculator to model your exact 2026 take-home with Sea Pay, BAH zone, and dependents. For the full benefits picture beyond pay, see Coast Guard benefits.